Organic, Local, and Conventional Produce

I support organic because organic produce taste better, it’s better for the environment, and has less toxins that come in the form of pesticides and pollutants in conventional produce. But it’s understandable that not all people can afford to buy all organic all the time … and you don’t have to feel bad if it’s not in your budget!

One step up from conventional produce is local. Buying local produce is a great way to support the environment and it tends to be cheaper than conventional because it doesn’t cost much to ship it to your local grocery store. Local produce is always in season, so it’s a great way to eat more seasonal fruits and vegetables and get a wider range of nutrients as the seasons change.

There are other ways to reduce your risk for chemical contamination and still support small farmers. First off, shop local whenever possible as I mentioned — and if you can find local, organic that’s best — but if it’s not available to you can use the handy list below from the Environmental Working Group that tells you which fruits and vegetables contain the most chemicals and which ones are least contaminated.